A gunman who fired a weapon in broad daylight near a Tipton school has been jailed for seven years and seven months. Omar Khan, 26, of Farnham Road, Birmingham, admitted to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and driving a motor vehicle without a licence or insurance.
The incident occurred on Rushmere Road, close to a primary school on Sandgate Road, at 3.25pm on July 18 last year. The shooting prompted an armed police response. Officers conducting a sweep of the area discovered two casings and two rounds of live ammunition on the ground. Parents and children leaving school for the day were called back inside until the area was deemed safe.
CCTV Evidence
West Midlands Police (WMP) reviewed CCTV footage and identified a car and a man reaching into his rear waistband and holding a firearm on the street. That man was Khan. He was later seen speaking with a group of men. Minutes later, a firearm discharge was heard, and Khan was spotted fleeing the scene.
Arrest and Sentencing
Khan was arrested on August 18 when armed officers spotted the same car involved in the shooting. He was found behind the wheel and in possession of a knife. Appearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, May 7, he was sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison.
PC Kyle Bowering, who investigated the case, said: "Thankfully no one was injured during this incident, but the outcome could have been so much worse. Khan decided to carry out his crime next to a primary school, putting not only those involved at risk but also innocent children, their families, and loved ones in danger when they were simply collecting their children at the end of a school day. Khan has now lost his freedom, and I hope his time behind bars will give him a chance to think of the devastating consequences that could have resulted because of his actions."
